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New Experiences at Aman's Five Indonesian Resorts

With five resorts across Indonesia, Aman offers a rare opportunity to engage with the archipelago’s diverse and ancient cultures, dramatic landscapes and spiritual atmosphere. For a unique journey of discovery, Aman has crafted a calendar of new experiences inspired by each resort’s story and setting. 

This includes culinary collaborations at Amandari as it prepares to celebrate 35 years in Ubud; the opening of Arva at Amankila on Bali’s east coast; deciphering chronograms from Amanjiwo in temple-studded Central Java; golfing adventures at Aman Villas at Nusa Dua; and swimming with whale sharks from Amanwana on Moyo’s tropical shores. Woven between are one-off events and insider access to the festivals integral to Indonesian daily life – all possible through Aman’s long cherished connections within each community.

Amandari, Indonesia – Accommodation, Amandari Suite, Swimming Pool_3009
Amandari, Indonesia – Accommodation, Amandari Suite, Swimming Pool


Amandari, Bali

Presided over by a sacred stone tiger, Amandari came into being in 1989, the second ever Aman resort. Everything about it seemed to fall seamlessly into place, from its name ‘Peaceful Spirits’ – given by an Indonesian clairvoyant – to its setting. Perched above Ayung River Gorge in Bali’s lush highlands, Amandari is not just designed after a traditional Balinese village – it is part of one. Kedewatan villagers have placed offerings daily at its riverside temple for 35 years this October.

In celebration of this milestone anniversary, Amandari has undergone a subtle refurbishment – gardens freshly landscaped, alang-alang roofs newly thatched and guestrooms upgraded with new bathroom fixtures and furniture in the same original style. 

The resort’s relaunched library now features a special gallery dedicated to its history. Archival photos reveal architect Peter Muller’s vision for Amandari dating back to the 1970s and the list of firsts the resort represented on the island: the first infinity pool; the first to feature Balinese crafts including kamasan tapestries, fans and sarongs; and the first with a cultural pavilion – where village children still learn traditional Balinese dance to this day.

In the build-up to Amandari’s 35th anniversary dinners in October, the resort will host monthly Purnama (Full Moon) feasts with welcome drinks and canapes, a traditional Ngejot menu and live entertainment (gamelan music and dancing). In addition, two new partnerships will see Amandari collaborating with sister brands Karusotju, Bali’s finest spirit company, and The Talasi, a coffee plantation resting on the slopes of Mount Batukaru.

Crafted exclusively for the resort’s anniversary, available for guests to purchase on property from October, the limited-edition bottles of Amandari X Karusotju are made with bespoke Karu 35 premium arak—a traditional sweet potato fermented spirit of the island. Using Japanese (shochu) and Korean (soju) fermentation techniques, this arak has a refined profile with a smooth, earthy taste. 

Full-sized bottles will be available for purchase in Amandari’s boutique from October, each with a custom illustration by a Balinese artist. A smaller size can be purchased from in-suite minibars. Also debuting in October is The Talasi X Amandari partnership, enriching the resort's coffee offering. Three distinct varieties of Balinese coffee will feature within Amandari’s minibar selection along with complimentary homemade snacks.

Three new experiences are available in collaboration with Quantum Temple, the island’s unique regenerative travel platform, to honour Amandari’s longstanding connection to local communities. Bathe in the sacred waters of Tirta Empul’s natural springs before the UNESCO-protected site opens to the public, then explore its 1000-year-old temple with a heritage storyteller. The second activity is a private, maestro-led concert and lecture at Professor I Made Bandem’s home in Singapadu. A distinguished author, scholar, ethnomusicologist, and dancer, acclaimed with the UNESCO Music Council Award, Professor Bandem offers deep insights into Bali’s musical heritage performing captivating traditional dances accompanied by the gamelan. 

The third experience delves into how ancient Hindu principles have infused Balinese architecture with rich spiritual symbolism through a guided tour of Penglipuran village led by an undagi (priest architect). This immersive journey unveils the ancient principles of Hasta Kosala Kosali and Tri Mandala, which have intricately shaped Balinese architecture for centuries.

As a final testament to Amandari’s significance in Bali, the storied property will feature in two books during the annual Ubud Writers and Readers Festival this October. The first by Rahadityo Mahindro Bhawono documents ‘100 Years of Balinese Hospitality and Bali Hotel Architecture’ and the second entitled ‘Indonesian Cigar’ by Yadie Dayana highlights Amandari’s locally sourced cigar menu in The Bar. Indonesia is one of only three countries outside Central and South America where cigars are produced.


Amankila, Bali - Pool & View
Amankila, Bali - Pool & View


Amankila, Bali

Continuing the theme of collaboration, Amankila, on Bali’s east coast, will host a number of exciting culinary events over the coming months in celebration of the newest incarnation of Aman’s signature restaurant, Arva, arriving at the resort.

From New York to Tokyo, Arva is renowned for serving exceptional ‘cucina del raccolto’ or harvest-style cuisine in select Aman destinations worldwide. At Amankila, Arva has refreshed the poolside setting of the Terrace to bring an entirely new dining destination with the same picturesque sea views.

From August, adding further lustre to Amankila’s culinary scene, is a new dining experience taking place at Ujung Water Palace. Built in 1901 and fully restored in 2000, this gracious estate was the architectural inspiration for Amankila. Ensuring that resort guests have the entire historic site to themselves, after gates to the public close at 5pm, The Karangasem Royal Dinner begins with sunset drinks and canapés followed by a private guided palace tour. The multi-course dinner of royal Balinese dishes takes place at the palace’s highest point, with beautiful views of the palace grounds and the surrounding landscape.


Amanjiwo, Indonesia - Pool Club Bistro Dinner
Amanjiwo, Indonesia - Pool Club Bistro Dinner


Amanjiwo, Central Java

Resting in the foothills of the Menoreh Hills with inspiring views of Borobudur, Amanjiwo is perfectly placed to offer a spiritually enriching experience of Indonesia’s cultural heartland. Amanjiwo has long offered insight into Central Java’s cultural wealth through lectures, hands-on experiences and private tours, including of Yogyakarta – a 60- to 90-minute drive from the resort. Now for the first time, Amanjiwo offers an exclusive visit to Keraton Yogyakarta – the Yogyakarta Royal Palace. Discover this historic centre of learning through two new unique experiences including a Keraton Royal lunch where favourite dishes of the first Sultan of Yogyakarta are served in the home of the prince.

The second experience reveals the secrets of chronograms known as Sengkalan, traditionally used in inscriptions to signify a given year. In a special room inside the palace, Kanca Kabujanggan, the Royal Historian of Keraton Yogyakarta, explains how certain words were assigned a specific number, and poetic phrases formed of these words to describe and date important events.

These new experiences are exclusive to Amanjiwo guests and can be booked individually or in combination with a wider private tour of Yogyakarta, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Prambanan Temple and the cultural museum of Sonobudoyo.



Amanwana, Indonesia - Experience, Whale Shark Excursion
Amanwana, Indonesia - Experience, Whale Shark Excursion


Amanwana, Moyo Island

On the beautiful island of Moyo in the Flores Sea, Amanwana is a natural paradise perfect for private group escapes. The wilderness hideaway offers full-board accommodation in just 17 luxury guest tents designed by Jean Michel-Gathy, and unrivalled access to some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in Indonesia.

Amanwana’s secluded setting makes it feel utterly remote, yet the resort is in fact more accessible than ever. A new direct flight from Bali to Sumbawa Besar takes just 60 minutes, followed by a scenic, 40-minute, boat ride directly to the camp’s tranquil shore. Bali’s international airport (DPS) is 20-minutes by car from Aman’s villa resort, Aman Villas at Nusa Dua, making it the ideal start or endpoint for an Amanwana journey.

No Amanwana adventure is complete without the opportunity for a whale shark sighting. Located a short distance east of Moyo Island, UNESCO-protected Saleh Bay is home to one of the largest whale shark (Rhincodon typus) populations on Earth. At least 103 of these gentle giants – completely harmless to humans – inhabit its waters year-round. Embark on a bespoke Whale Shark Excursion to come face-to-face with these majestic creatures on a two-hour sunrise cruise with an expert guide. The experience includes an interactive and informative lecture by Konservasi Indonesia, accompanied by an onboard breakfast.

Amanwana’s Whale Shark Excursion is also part of the camp’s new Underwater Wellness Retreat, which has been designed for wellbeing and diving enthusiasts alike. The first of its kind, this six-day retreat harnesses the natural healing powers of the underwater realm and includes breathwork practice and underwater meditation, free diving, snorkelling and more. Every moment is designed to connect participants with the healing energy of the ocean, promising a therapeutic adventure above and below the waves.

Undiscovered Indonesia

An exclusive offer combining up to four Aman destinations across the archipelago, Undiscovered Indonesia showcases the beauty and cultural diversity of this island nation. From the emerald rice terraces of Ubud at Amandari to the ancient monuments of the Kedu Plain seen from Amanjiwo, this journey also offers beachside seclusion with views over the Lombok Strait with Amankila and unrivalled beach and golf access from Nusa Dua’s hillside at Aman Villas at Nusa Dua, a private villa only escape. Each stay includes daily breakfast for two, return airport transfers, champagne on arrival, scheduled group wellness sessions, daily afternoon tea and a range of activities.

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